First Molecular Examination Of HIV In High-Risk People Along U.S.-Mexico Border
Main Category: HIV / AIDS News
Article Date: 14 May 2007 - 12:00 PDT


The first report examining the subtypes of HIV infection among injecting drug abusers and female sex workers along the U.S. - Mexico border shows evidence of resistance to antiretroviral drugs in people who had not taken the medications, posing a potential public health threat.

Background: HIV prevalence is increasing among high-risk populations in U.S. - Mexico border cities, particularly among female sex workers. Due to the increasing prevalence of subtype C strains reported in Latin America and the rapidly changing nature of HIV epidemics, studies on the genetic diversity of HIV strains are needed. Research on HIV resistance mutations can also help physicians develop new therapeutic guidelines.

Study Design: In this community-based study, researchers collected 35 HIV-positive samples from injecting drug abusers and female sex workers in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. They were able to analyze the DNA from 11 samples (8 from injecting drug abusers, and 3 from female sex workers).

What They Found: The samples obtained were HIV subtype B, the most prevalent strain in North America, Western Europe, and Australia. They also observed that two of the three samples from female sex workers had low-level antiretroviral resistance mutations, even though they had not taken antiretroviral medications.

Comments From The Authors: Although the sample size was small, the antiretroviral drug resistance found in two drugnaïve female sex workers is of concern; the potential for primary drug resistance poses a potential public health threat to both sides of the border.

What's Next: Further studies in Mexican high-risk groups are needed to determine the rate of primary drug resistance in individuals along the border and throughout Mexico. Testing for HIV drug resistance will aid clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment for patients in whom antiretroviral therapy is not successful.

Publication: The study, led by Dr. Jean Carr of the University of Maryland, was published in the February 2007 issue of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research information and its implementation in policy and practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and other topics are available in English and Spanish.

These fact sheets and further information on NIDA research and other activities can be found on the NIDA home page at www.drugabuse.gov.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=70860